# NTSB LAX03LA294: Cessna 172N, N6548D, Pahrump, NV, September 21, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 2003, 11:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Pahrump, NV - Coordinates: 36.271667, -115.991668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2717&lon=-115.9917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57971 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57971/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA294 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the mountainous terrain while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - weather condition - downdraft - weather condition - high density altitude - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly ## Analysis The airplane collided with rising terrain while maneuvering to gain altitude shortly after departure. After an uneventful departure, the airplane approached a mountain range, and the pilot opted to execute a 360-degree turn in an effort to gain altitude. While turning, he noticed a significant downdraft, and despite the continuous use of full throttle, the airplane was unable to climb. He attempted to maneuver the airplane to avoid contacting terrain, but the airplane descended about 250 feet per minute and impacted the terrain. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. He thought that the accident could have been prevented if he had maneuvered the airplane away from mountainous terrain. With the temperature and pressure from the nearest reporting station, the density altitude was calculated to be in excess of 4,800 feet. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 2003, about 1105 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N6548D, collided with rising terrain while maneuvering to gain altitude shortly after departure from Calvada Meadows Airport, Pahrump, Nevada. Skyschool, Inc., was operating the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The flight originated Pahrump at 1100, with a planned destination of North Las Vegas Airport, North Las Vegas, Nevada. In a written statement, the pilot reported that after an uneventful departure, the airplane ascended at 80 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) with a 500- to 600-feet-per-minute (fpm) rate of climb. With a mountain range ahead, the pilot opted to execute a 360-degree turn, in an effort to gain altitude. While turning, he noticed a significant downdraft, and despite the continuous use of full throttle, the airplane was unable to climb. He attempted to maneuver the airplane to avoid contacting terrain, but the airplane continued descending about 250 fpm. The airplane impacted the terrain, incurring damage to both wings and the landing gear. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. He thought that the accident could have been prevented if he had maneuvered the airplane away from mountainous terrain. With the temperature and pressure from the nearest reporting station, the density altitude was calculated to be in excess of 4,800 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6548D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6548D-2004-06-15), registration cancelled 2004-06-15, S/N 17272857, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272857 - Airframe hours: 6921 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A4M 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Skyschool, Inc. - Registered owner: Thaddeus M. Shrader & Molly A. McGinn - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 2003, 28 hours before - Departed: NV74, Pahrump, NV - Destination: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 16, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 246 total, 12 in this make and model, 191 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: VGT, 40 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030921022359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030921022359A), Sep 21, 2003: Cessna 172N, Pahrump, NV, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was flying in the Pahrump area of Nevada, tried to climb over climbing terrain. Flew into a canyon and impacted terrain. Pilot and passenger had… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.